Apparatus for defiberizing wood



Nov. 6, 1934. s. H. ELLIS APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING WOOD Filed May 51.1950 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEORGE H. ELL-I5,

lam $4 M A TTORNE {is Nov. 6, 1934. G, H, ELLIS APPARATUS FORDEFIBERIZING WOOD Filed May 31, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN T 0R650F765 H. 51.1.15

A TTORNE Nov. 6, 1934. G H ELLIS 1,979,373

APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING WOOD Filed May 51, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 3IIIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR .FIfl 3 650865 H. ELLIS A TTORNE Y5 7Sheets-Sheet 4 lul G. H. ELLIS Filed y 51. 1950 LVVENTOA GEORGE H. ELL/sEMA MM A YTOANE )5 B), pin-ll APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING WOOD Nov. 6,i934.

NOV. 6, 1934. G, H, ELLls 1,979,373

APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING WOOD Filed May 31, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 mumINVENTOR F 9 GE RGE H-EL -IS 42,1, flux/aim Nov. 6, 1934. G. H. ELLIS 7APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING WOOD Filed May 31, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR GEORGE H. ELL-l5 A TTORNE Y5 Nov. 6, 1934. G. H. ELLIS APPARATUSFOR DEFIBERIZING WOOD 7 Sheets-Sheet 7- 7 Filed May 31, 1950 INVENTOKGEORGE H. ELL/6 fiwc l d/ 1 A TTORNE K5 UNITED STATES PATENT/OFFICE A1,979,373 APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING woon George'H. Ellis, St. Paul,Minn., assignor to The Insulite Company, Minneapolis, Minn., acorporation of Minnesota Application May 31, 1930, Serial No. 458,247

' 12 Claims. ('01. as-.75)

This invention relates to an improved appasingle attendant stationedupon a platform proratus for deflberizing wood, and an object of thevided upon the spider may control the operations invention is'to providesuch an apparatus adaptof the several "plungers and cause the wood in edto separate the fibers of wood without grinding, the auxiliary hoppersto be delivered into the whereby the fibers will be comparatively longand. main hoppers each time one of said main hoppers 9 thread-like. Theapparatus is an improvement has been substantially emptied of itscontents. over the form shown in my pending application, Other objectsof the invention will appear from Serial No. 316,824, filed July 8,1929. the following description and accompanying I A further object isto provide an apparatus for drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed 10 defiberizing wood comprising a series of abrasive claims.

elements over which the wood is fed lengthwise of In the accompanyingdrawings, there has been the fibers, and each of said elements beingprodisclosed a' structure designed to carry out the vided with anindependent drive. various objects of the invention, but it is to be e Afurther object'is to provide an apparatus inunderstood that theinvention is not confined to eluding a spider mounted for rotarymovement the exact features shown as various changes may 70 and providedat its periphery with a plurality of be made within the scope of theclaims which main hoppers each provided with a fluid-operfollow. a atedplunger adapted to force the wood pieces In the drawings: downwardly inthe hopper against the surfaces of Figure 1 is a plan view of theimproved mathe abrasive elements, and each main hopper chine; I 75having an auxiliary hopper communicating Figure 2 is an enlarged detailsectional view therewith into which the wood pieces may be showing theplunger in an operative position in delivered while the plunger is in anoperative a main hopper, and also showing the connected position withinthe main hopper, a portion of auxiliary hopper substantially filled withwood;

each plunger functioning as a wall for one side Figure 3 is a detailsectional view showing the 86 of the auxiliary hopper to prevent thewood plunger in an elevated position, whereby' the pieces containedtherein from being delivered. wood in the auxiliary hopper may dischargeinto into the main hopper connected therewith while the main hopper; v

the plunger is exerting a downward pressure Figure 4 is an enlargeddetail sectional view 39 upon the wood in said main hopper, and whereonthe line 4-4 of Figures 2 and 3, showing the 85 by, when the plunger iselevated to an inoperaplunger in a lowered position;

'tive position out of the main hopper, the wood Figure 5 isa sectionalplan view on the line v contained in the auxiliary hopper will be de-5-i of Figures 2 and 3;

livered by gravity into the main hopper to'be Figurefi is a section'aldetail plan view on the engagedby the plunger when itis moved downline6-6 of Figures 2 and'3, showing the means 90 wardlyinto an operativeposition. for rotating the spider, hoppers and cylinders;

A further object is to provide an apparatus for Figure '7 is a detailsectional view on the line defiberizing wood comprising a plurality of7---''! of Figures 2 and 3, showing the means for abrasive elements eachprovided with; an indeadjustably supporting the bearings of the 40pendent motor, and said motors and their comabrasive elements; I 95plemental abrasive elements having a universal Figure 8 is a detailsectionalview on the line self-alining mounting whereby all unnecessary88 of'Figures 2 and 3,-showingthe means for strains are eliminated.supporting the outer ends ofthe shafts upon Features of the inventionreside in the novel which the abrasive elements are mounted;

means provided for supporting the spider; the Figure 9 is an enlargeddetail sectional view on 100 arrangement of the main hoppers'and theauxilthe line 9--9 of Figure 6; iary hoppers connected therewith and thecon- Figure 10 is a detail sectional plan view on tl ie struction of-theplungers which, while forcing line 10-10 of Figure 2; and r g thewoodpieces downwardlyin the main hopper Figure 11 is a detail sectionalplan view on the into engagement with the abrasive elements, also line11-41 of Figure 2.

retain other wood pieces in the auxiliary hop- The novelapparatusfeatured in this invention pers; in themeans for operating theplungers; for defiberizing woodior separating the fibers in theuniversal mountings of the abrasive ele thereof, comprises ahorizontally disposed spider ments and their driving means; and in thegen- 2 having, a central hubSrotatablymounted upon eral co stru ti n oft apparatus whereby a an upright fixed sleeve 4 provided with a lower110 flange 5 seated upon' a suitable foundation 6. The flange 5 issecured to the foundation by suitable anchor bolts '7.

A plurality of segmental thrust plates 8 are mounted upon the flange 5adjacent to the sleeve 4, and these plates support the weight of therotor as, will readily be understood by reference to Figure 2. Thethrust plates 8 are retained in position by means of a retaining ring 9secured by bolts 11'to the flange 5. Similar thrust plates 12 areprovided at the upper end of the rotor hub 3 and are retained inposition by means of a retaining member 13 secured by studs 14 to theupper end of the sleeve 4. Suitable shims 15 are interposed between theupper end of the sleeve 4 and the annular retaining member 13, as shown.When the thrust plates 8 become worn, they may readily be removed bysimply unfastening the retaining ring 9 and sliding it upwardly over thelower end of the hub 3, after which the plates 8 may be removed fromtheir seats and others substituted therefor, as will readily beunderstood by reference to Figure 2. To thus remove the thrust plates 8,it is, of course, necessary to support the weight of the spider uponsuitable jacks or other means, not shown in the drawings. The upperthrust plates 12 may likewise be removed for replacement by simplyunfastening the retaining member 13.

An annular upstanding web 16 is preferably provided upon the flange 5 toprovide means for retaining any lubricant which'may leak from the spiderbearings. Suitable means, not shown, are provided for lubricating thebearings.

The spider 2 isshown provided with a channelshaped rim or felly 17 tothe lower portion of which a suitable ring gear 18 is secured. This ringgear meshes with a drive pinion 19 mounted upon a shaft 21 supported insuitable bearings 22 and 23, as shown in Figure 6. A suitable pulley 24is also secured to the shaft 21 and has a belt 25 connecting it with thepulley of a suitable motor 26, shown in Figure -1.

A series of spaced-apart abrasive elements or grinding wheels 27 aresuitably supported upon a foundation 28 having an annular trough orchannel 29 provided therein adapted to receive the separated fibers.

A feature of this invention resides in the means provided for supportingand operating each abrasive element 27. Each such element is providedwith an independent drive and, as these drives are of like construction,but one will be described in detail. Eachdrive comprises a suitablemotor 31 having a drive pinion 32 engaged with a gear 33 terminallysecured to a shaft 34, upon which the abrasive element or grinding wheel27 is secured. The shaft. 34 is mounted in suitable anti-frictionseIf-alining bearings 35-35 and 36 of the type illustrated in Figure 9.The bearings 35'are secured to a bed plate 37 to the opposite side ofwhich the motor 31 is secured. The bed plate 37, in turn, is movablysupported upon a pair of oppositely disposed trunnions'38 secured Theinner bearing 36 of each shaft 34 is shown provided with oppositelyprojecting extensions 44 seated upon the upstanding portions 45 of abracket 46 secured to a base plate 47 mounted upon the inner portion ofthe foundation 28, as

shown in Figures 3 and 7. A suitable bolt 48 adjustably secures thebracket 46 to the base plate 47, and the extensions 44 of the bearing 36are secured ,to the upright portions 45 of the bracket 46 by suitablebolts 49. Shims 51 are preferably interposed between the portions 44 and45 whereby the bearing 36 may be vertically adiusted so as to aline theupper portion of the abrasive element with adjacent elements, as willreadily be understood by reference to Figure 4.

By tlius supporting the abrasive element,- the latter may be relativelyadjusted with respect to the adjacent elements 27, and the threebearings 35-35 and 36 may also be retained in accurate alinement withoutdifliculty, thereby relieving the parts of unnecessary strains.

Upright plates or walls 52 and 53 are secured to the base plates 43 and47 by suitable angle irons 54 and 55, respectively. These upright wallsare disposed at the ends of the abrasive elements.

27 and are provided with suitable apertures 50,

through which the shafts 34 pass as best shown in Figure 3. Suitableangles 56 are preferably secured to the upper portions of the walls 52and 53, and upon these angles and the upper edges of the walls areseated a plurality of horizontally disposed plates 57 which preferablyhave their upper surfaces situated slightly below the uppermost portionsof the peripheries of the abrasive elements 27, as will readily be notedby reference to Figure 4. The opposite edges of each plate 57 ispreferably beveled, as shown in Figure 4, so that the edges of theplates may be positioned in close proximity to the peripheries of theabrasive element. The plates 57 andthe projecting portions of theperipheries of the elements 27 cooperate to provide a surface overwhich'the wood is moved during the operation of separating the woodfibers. The abrasive elements are preferably arranged to rotate inopposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4. I

The means for feeding and holding the wood pieces against theperipheries of the abrasive elements 27 is best shown in Figures 2, 3,and 4, and includes-a plurality of main hoppers 58, defined by walls 59and 61, and the adiacent faces 62 of the brackets 63, secured to the rim17 of the spider in spaced relation by suitable bolts 64. As each hopperand its associated parts are of like construction, but one will bedescribed in detail. I

The main hopper 58 has an auxiliary hopper 65 arranged adjacent thereto.This auxiliary hopper is defined by an inclined bottom 66, an upper wall67, and the end walls 68, the latter being shown integrally formed withthe end walls 130 62 of the main hopper 58, as will readily beunderstood by reference to Figures 3 and 4. The laterally extendingportions of the brackets 63, which constitute the end walls 68 of theauxiliary hoppers 65, preferably have plates 69 secured to their upperedges, as shown in Figures 4 and .5. A suitable fixed platform 71 issituated adjacent to the line of travel'of the auxiliary hoppers 65adapted to support pieces of wood'to be deflberized, as shown in Figures2 and 3. An attendant or workman stationed upon this platform may fillthe auxiliary hoppers as they pass said platform. It is to be understoodthat the main and auxiliary hoppers, because of being supported upon andsecured to the rim 17 of the spider, rotate therewith.

Each main hopper 58 provided with a ram or plunger 72 having a bottom 73provided with spaced-apart depending ribs 74adapted to engage the woodin the main hopper, as shown in outwardly against the side walls of themain hop- Figure 2. The lower edges of the ribs are preferably curved asshown in Figures 2 and SQso as to prevent the plunger from crowding thewood tions 79 inclined outwardly, so that when the plunger 72 is movedupwardly, it will be tilted to the position shown in Figure 3, becauseof the rollers 81 'at the upper portions of the plunger side wallsentering the inclined portions '79.of the guide grooves 77. (See Figure3.) The outer wall of the plunger 72 is provided with upwardly extendingportions 82 which function to retain wood piecesin the auxiliary hopper65, when the plunger is moving downwardly, as shown in Figure 2. Whenthe ram is moved upwardly to the positionshown in dotted lines in Figure2 and full lines in Figure 3, the wood contained in the auxiliary hopper65 will drop by gravity into the main hopper 58, as shown in Figure-3,whereupon the plunger may be moved downwardly intoengagement with thewood pieces'cdntained in the main hopper and the auxiliaryhoppersupplied with fresh wood. l

The means provided for operating the plunger 72 is here shown as beingof a hydraulic nature, and comprises a cylinder 83 having a bottom head84 secured thereto. This head, in turn, is secured to the cross framemember 78, connecting together the upper portions of the brackets 63.The cylinder 83, head 84, and frame member '78 may be connected togetherby suitable bolts 85,

as shown'in Figure 4. The upper end of the cyl-,

inder 83 is provided with a suitable head 86.

A piston 8'1 is .movably mounted within the cylinder 83 and. has apiston rod '88 passing through a suitable leak-proof bearing 89provided, in the head 84, as shown in Figure 3. The lower end of thepiston rod is shownprovided with a yoke 91 operatively connected withthe shaft so that-when the piston is actuated, the plunger '72 also willbe operated.

A means for controlling the flow of fluid between opposite ends of thecylinder 88 is shown in Figure 3, and comprises a suitable control valve92 having a chamber 93 in which is mounted a slide 94. This slide has astem 95 protruding from one end of the valve housing and is connectedwith a control lever 98 having a link 97 operatively connecting it withthe head 86 at the upper end of the cylinder. A pipe 98 connects thevalve 92 witha supply pipe 99 suitably supported upon the cylinder 83 asshown in Figures 2 and 33. A centrally disposed annular chamber 101delivered into. the plunger from the discharge pipe 102 may flowtherefrom through, suitable apertures 103 provided in the bottom of theplunger into contact withthe wood positioned therebeneath, as will beunderstood by reference to Figure 2.

The discharge pipe 102 is connected with a duct 104 communicating witheach end of the chamber 93 of the valve. In Figure 3, the slide 94 isshown positioned to permit the pressure fluid entering the centrallydisposed chamber 101 to flow therefrom through a by-pass 105 into thelower portion ofthe cylinder beneath the piston 87, causing the pistonto rise to the position shownin Figure 3. When the slide 94 is thuspositioned, the upper end of the cylinder above the piston will bedischarging through a duct 106 into the valve chamber 93, at the righthand side of the valve. From the chamber 93, it will flow through theduct 104 into the discharge pipe 102 and subsequently into the plunger'72, as will readily be understood. When the control lever 96 ispositioned, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3, the pressure fluidwill be delivered into the upper portion of the cylinder above thepiston, whereupon the latter will be forced downwardly and the liquid orfluid beneath the piston will flow through the by-pass 105 back to thevalve chamber 93 to the left hand side of the valve, when viewed asshown in Figure 3, from whence it will be discharged through the pipe102 into the plunger.

It will therefore be seen that each plunger is provided with anindependent operating mechanism capable of independent control by anattendant or operator stationed upon a platform 10'! supported upon thearms of the spider. (See Figures 1 and 2.) s

The means for delivering the pressure fluid to the supply pipe 99 isshown consisting of two or more radially disposed pipes 108 eachcommunicating at one end with the supply pipe 99 and at their oppositeends with a head 109, rotatably mounted upon a connection 110 terminallymounted upon the upper end of a stand pipe 111. The stand pipe 111 isconnected at its lower end with a pipe 112 leading to a suitable sourceof supply, not shown. The connection 110 is provided at its upper endwith an annular flange 113 received in a bore 114 provided in thedistributing secured by studs 116 .to the lower portion of thedistributing head 109 and is adapted to compress a packing 117 againstthe annular flange 113 within the bore-114 to provide a leak-proofconnection between the distributing head 109 and the connection 110.

Means are provided for hydrating those por .tions of the wood contactingdirectlywith the abrasive elements so as to moisten the fiberssufficiently to permit them to be separated substantially withouttearing. Such a means is shown in Figures 4 and 6,.and may 'consist of aplurality of small spray nozzles 118 provided upon pipes 119 interposedbetween the abrasive elements. The pipes 119-are suitably supportedin-the upper portions of the plates 'or wall members 52 and 53 and aresecured thereto by suitable means, not shown. The nozzles arepreferablvdisposed as shown in Figure 4, so that the spray of waterprojected-therefrom against the peripheries of the abrasive elements 27will be in a direction coincident with the'directicn of movement of theperipheries of said abrasive elements. It will thus be seen thatalternate sets of nozzles will be projecting sprays of water upwardlyagainst the peripheri'es'of adjacent abrasive elements while head 109,as shown in Figure 2. A gland 115 is the remaining sets of nozzles willproject sprays thus provide means for hydrating the wood dur-.

ing the process of separating. the fibers. and also for removing theseparated fibers from the peripheries of the abrasive elements anddelivering them into the annular trough or channel 29 provided directlybeneath the abrasive elements. The abrasive elements, as hereinbeforestated, preferably operate in opposite directions as indicated by thearrows in Figure 4.

The inner end of each pipe 119 is closed by a suitable cap 121 and theopposite ends of these pipes are connected by suitable connections 122to a main supply pipe 123 having a connection with a suitable source ofsupply, not shown. Valves 124 provide means for controlling the flow ofwater to the nozzle pipes 119.

In the drawings, I have shown an abrasive element 125 mounted upon thedrive shaft 21. This element 125 may be secured to the shaft 21 so as toimpart a grinding action to the wood as the latter is moved over theabrasive elements.

Operation In the operation of the machine, the spider is rotated by themotor 26, whereby the main hoppers 58 will travel over the abrasiveelements 27, carrying with them the wood that is supported therein, asshown in Figures 2 and 3. The cylinders 83, and associated parts, beingmounted upon the upper portions of the brackets 63, rotate withthe mainhoppers, as do also the auxiliary hoppers 65. The attendant or operatorstationed on the inner platform 10'? watches the main hoppers 63, andwhen a plunger reaches the bottom of its downward stroke, he willactuate the control lever 96, controlling the operation of thatparticular plunger, whereupon said plunger will be returned to the fullline position shown in Figure 3, and allow the wood contained in theassociated auxiliary hopper to be fed by gravity into the empty mainhopper. The operator will then move the operating lever 96 to the dottedline position in Figure 3, whereupon the pressure fluid will act uponthe upper end of the piston and move the plunger downwardly intoengagement with the wood positioned in said main hopper.

As the auxiliary hoppers pass the platform 71, partially shown inFigures 1, 2, and 3, a workman stationed on the platform will refillsaid hoppers 65, as shownin Figure 2, after which the operator on theplatform 10'! may manipulate the control levers 96 and cause the wood inthe auxiliary hoppers to be delivered into the main hoppers, as

the latter are emptied. The separated fibers will be discharged into theannular trough 29 provided beneath the abrasive elements from which theyare removed by suitable means, not shown. From the foregoing, it will benoted that the operation of this novel machine is very simple and onlytwo operators are required, one to control the operation of the plungersand the other to keep the auxiliary hoppers supplied with wood. Thenovel mounting of each abrasive lement and its driving means is alsoimportan in that it provides means whereby the bearings supporting theshafts of the abrasive elenuents may be accurately alined and retainedin such alinemerit. Each abrasive element unit, including the elementand its driving means, is vertically ad- Justable relatively to theadjacent abrasive elements so that the effective contact points of theabrasive elements, which project above the horizontally disposed plates5'7 may, as shown in Figures 1- and -'7, be horizontally alined wherebymaximum efli'ciency is obtained.

The operation and construction of the plunger 72 is also of importancein that the plungers, in

addition to providing means for forcing the wood into engagement withthe abrasive elements, also provide means for temporarily retaining thewood in the auxiliary hoppers during the time that the plungers 72 arein their lower operative positions. The inclined portions 79 of theguide grooves '77 cause the plungers to be tilted to the dotted lineposition shown in Figure 2, and full line position shown in Figure 3,when the plungers reach their uppermost positions, thereby providingample clearance for an operator standing on the platform 71 to view theinteriors of the main hoppers, as they pass.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for defiberizing wood, a plurality of abrasiveelements mounted for rotary movement, a main hopper mounted for movementover said abrasive elements and adapted to receive wood to bedefiberized, a plunger adapted to feed the wood in said main hopper intoengagement with the peripheries of said abrasive elements, means forguiding the plunger in its up and down movements, an auxiliary hopper'connected with said main hopper, means on the plunger adapted to causethe wood in said auxiliary hopper to be retained therein upon downwardmovement of the'plunger, and said plunger guide means being adapted totilt the plunger when the latter is moved to a position above said mainhopper, whereby the wood in said auxiliary hopper may be delivered intosaid main hopper.

2. In an apparatus for defiberizing wood, a spider mounted for rotarymovement and-having a plurality of hoppers mounted thereon and disposedin upright positions, a series of abrasive elements rotatably mountedbeneath said hoppers in the line of travel thereof, a plunger for eachhopper adapted to force the wood in said hoppers into frictionalengagement with the peripheries of said abrasive elements, independentoperating means for said plungers and means for tilting each plungerupon upward movement thereof to permit fresh supplies of wood to bedelivered into said hoppers. v

3. In an apparatus for defiberizing wood, a spider mounted for rotarymovement and having a plurality of main hoppers mounted thereon anddisposed in upright positions, a series of abrasive elements rotatablymounted beneath said hoppers in the line of travel thereof, a plungerfor each main hopper adapted to force the wood in said hoppers intofrictionalengagement with the peripheries of said abrasive elements, anauxiliary hopper connected with each main hopper, and cam means fortilting each plunger as it is tary abrasive elements mounted adjacentthe periphery of said spider, means on the spider adapted to receive thewood and convey it over the peripheries of said abrasive elementswhereby the fibers are separated, said means receiving the wood beingcoextensive with a group of abrasive elements, an independent drive foreach abrasive element, and each abrasive element and its respectivedriving means being assembled as a unit, which units are adapted forindependent adjustment. I

5. In an apparatus for deflberizing wood, a spider mounted for rotarymovement, a plurality wood, a plunger associated with each hopper forpressing the wood into frictional engagement with said elements as thespider is rotated, a' cylinder and piston for operating each plunger, a

i stand pipe fixedly mounted within the hub of the spider, and adistributing head rotatably supported on said stand pipe and connectedwith said cylinders for supplying pressure fluid thereto.

0. In an apparatus for deflberizing wood, abrasive elements mounted forrotary movement, a

hopper to receive the wood and adapted to move over said abrasiveelements, a plunger associated with the hopper for forcing the wood intofrictional" engagement with the peripheries of the abrasive elements,means for operating said plunger, means carried by the plunger fordividing the hopper into two chambers, and means for tilting the plungeron its upward movement to permit fresh supplies of wood to be deliveredsaid hopper.

'1. In an apparatus for deiiberizing wood, a spider mounted for rotarymovement and having a plurality of main hoppers-mounted thereon, a-

series of abrasive elements rotatably mounted beneath saidhoppers in thelinevof travel thereof, a plunger for each main hopper adapted Q force.the wood in said hopper into frictional engagement with the peripheriesof said abrasive elements, means for operating said plungers, anauxiliary hopper associated with each main hopper, said plungers eachforming a wall for its respective auxiliary hopper, and means fortilting said plungers as they move upwardly to cause the wood supportedin the auxiliary hoppers to. be discharged into their respective mainhoppers.

" 8. In an apparatus for deflberizing wood, a hopper to receive thewood, abrasive elements mounted for rotary movement beneath saidhopper,a plunger associated with the hopper and adapted to force the woodintofrictional engagement witlnthe peripheries of the abrasive elements,means for operating said plunger, and

movement, a main hopper mounted for movementv over said abrasiveelementsand adapted to 're-' ceive wood to be deflberized, a plungeradapted to feed the wood in said main hopper into engagement with theperipheries of the abrasive elements, meansfor operating said plunger,an auxiliary hopper connected with said main hopper, means on theplunger adapted to cause the wood in the auxiliary hopper to be retainedtherein upon the downward" movement of the plunger, means whereby theplunger is tilted when it is moved to a position above said main hopperand the wood in the auxiliary hopper may be delivered into said mainhopper.

10. In an apparatus for deflberizing wood, a plurality of abrasiveelements mounted for rotary movement, a spider mounted for rotarymovement and having a-plurality of hoppers mounted thereon and disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the abrasiveelements, plungers adapted to force the wood in said hoppers intofrictional engagement with the peripheries of said elements, independentoperating means for said plungers, and means for tilting the plungersupon upward movement thereof to clear said operating means and to permitfresh 11. In an apparatus for deflberizing wood, a hopper to receive thewood, an abrasive element mounted for rotary movement beneath thehopper, a plunger associated with the hopper for supplies of wood to bedelivered into the. hoppers. from one chamber into the other chamber of'forcing the, wood into frictional engagement with the abrasive element,means for operating said plunger, and means for tilting the piling eh onits upward movement to clear said operating means and to permit freshsupplies of wood to be delivered into said hopper, said abrasive elementbeing universally adjustable with respect to said h pp r- 12. In anapparatus for defiberizing wood, a spider mounted for rotary movementand having a plurality of main hoppers mounted thereon, a series ofabrasive elements rotatably mounted beneath said hoppers in the line oftravel thereof and over the peripheries of which the wood contained inthe hoppers moves in a direction lengthwise of its fibers, a plunger fore'achhopp'er adapted to force the wood in said hoppers intofrictionalengagement with the peripheries of said abrasive elements, means for,operating said plungers, means fortilting the plungers on their upwardmovement, an auxiliary hopper connected with each' main hopper, andmeans associated with the plunger and dividing the two hoppers and madeoperable by the upward movementv of said plunger to thereby establishcommunication between said hoppers and permit the fresh sup-' plies ofwood in said I auxiliary hoppers to dis

